Incline lift system for cargo containers

ABSTRACT

A product including a containerized cargo system for the loading and unloading of cargo with the use of an inclined lift system which includes at least one motorized belt having a hooking feature which mates with a cavity located on the cargo container in order to lift the cargo container off and onto the ground for the unloading and loading of a truck and a method of doing the same.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field to which the disclosure generally relates to includes vehiclelift systems.

BACKGROUND

A vehicle may include one or more lift systems.

SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

One variation may include a method including a containerized cargosystem for the loading and unloading of cargo with the use of an inclinelift system using motorized belts which include a hooking feature andcargo containers which include a cavity which mates with the hookingfeature which lifts and lowers cargo containers to and from a deliverytruck.

Another variation may include a product including a truck that mayinclude at least one motorized belt which may include a hooking featurewhich may mate with a cavity in a cargo container to lift the cargocontainer off the ground onto the truck for transportation and to placethe cargo container back onto the ground for delivery.

Other illustrative variations within the scope of the invention willbecome apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. Itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while disclosing variations of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Select examples of variations within the scope of the invention willbecome more fully understood from the detailed description and theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an overhead view of a truck including an incline liftsystem according to a number of variations.

FIG. 2 depicts a rear view of a truck including an incline lift systemaccording to a number of variations.

FIG. 3 depicts an overhead view of a truck including an incline liftsystem according to a number of variations.

FIG. 4 depicts a rear view of a truck including an incline lift systemaccording to a number of variations.

FIG. 5 depicts a retention feature according to a number of variations.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of a cargo container according to a number ofvariations.

FIG. 7 depicts a rear view of a cargo container according to a number ofvariations.

FIG. 8 depicts a close up of a belt hook feature and mating cargocontainer cavity feature according to a number of variations.

FIG. 9 depicts loading a cargo container into a truck with an inclinelift system according to a number of variations.

FIG. 10 depicts loading a cargo container into a truck with an inclinelift system according to a number of variations.

FIG. 11 depicts loading a cargo container into a truck with an inclinelift system according to a number of variations.

FIG. 12 depicts loading a cargo container into a truck with an inclinelift system according to a number of variations.

FIG. 13 depicts a truck including an incline lift system with cargocontainers loaded into the truck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

The following description of the variations is merely illustrative innature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention,its application, or uses.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a truck 50 may include a conventional-heighttruck bed platform 52 and may allow for access to the inside of thetruck 50 through the right hand side 54 and/or the left hand side 56 ofthe truck 50 as well as the rear end 58 of the truck 50. A truck 50 mayinclude several storage spaces or container slots 60 in its truck bedplatform which may be used to hold various cargo containers 98, forexample as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. The container slots 60 may bespaced apart in any of a number of variations including, but not limitedto, symmetrically along the length L of the truck bed platform 52 onboth the right hand side 54 and the left hand side 56 of the truck 50.

At least one row of container slots 60 may include an incline liftsystem 74 which may assist in the loading and unloading of cargocontainers 98 to and from the truck 50. This may also allow individualloading and unloading of cargo containers 98 on either side of the truck50.

The incline lift system 74 may include at least one symmetrical firstmotorized belt system 76 and second motorized belt system 78 which mayhelp in the efficiency of loading and unloading cargo containers 98 bylifting the cargo containers 98 onto and off of a truck 50. The firstmotorized belt system 76 may include a first belt 82 and the secondmotorized belt system 78 may include a second belt 84. The motorizedbelt systems 76, 78 may include an inclined surface 80 which extendstoward the center of the truck 50 and toward each other. The first belt82 and the second belt 84 may each include a hooking feature 86 whichmay be constructed and arranged to accept a mating cavity feature 116 ona cargo container 98, for example as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4.

In one variation, the first belt 82 and the second belt 84 may belocated on adjacent opposite sides approximately center of each of thecontainer slots 60, for example as illustrated in FIG. 1. In thisvariation, the first and second belts 82, 84 may each include a firstshaft 88, second shaft 92, third shaft 94, and fourth shaft 96, forexample as illustrated in FIG. 2. Each shaft 88, 92, 94, 96 may becoupled to a motor including, but not limited to, an electric motor (notshown) which may rotate the shafts 88, 92, 94, 96 to turn eitherclockwise, or counter clockwise which may drive the belt 82, 84 eitherupwards or downwards which may cause the belt hook feature 86 to moveupwards or downwards.

In another variation, the first motorized belt system 76 and the secondmotorized belt system 78 may each share a center first shaft 90, forexample as shown in FIG. 4. In this variation the first belt 82 may beoffset from the width of the second belt 84, for example as illustratedin FIG. 3. Each belt 82, 84 may also be coupled to its own second shaft92, third shaft 94, and fourth shaft 96. Each motorized belt system 76,78 may be motorized by an independent motor including, but not limitedto, an electric motor (not shown) which may rotate the shafts 90, 92,94, 96 clockwise or counterclockwise which may drive the belts 82, 84 tomove upwards or downwards which may cause the belt hook feature 86 tomove upwards or downwards.

The motorized belt system 76, 78 may include a control device (notshown) in any of a number of variations including, but not limited to, apush button start/stop, a push lever start/stop, or a wireless remotecontrol device which may operate all of the belt 82, 84 positions. Eachmotorized belt system 76, 78 may also include positional sensors (notshown) which may stop the belt 82, 84 in an appropriate upwards ordownwards position. The motorized belt systems 76, 78 may also beequipped with at least one emergency stop control including, but notlimited to, sensors, or hardwired buttons or pull cords, near eachincline lift system 74.

A hollow structure 64 may run through the length of the truck bed 52 andmay be located within the first inclined belt system 76 and the secondinclined belt system 78 approximately center of the truck bed 52. Thehollow structure 64 may be used as a fuselage type storage area whichmay be located within the motorized belt systems 76, 78 and which may beaccessed through the rear 58 of the truck 50. The hollow structure maybe any of a number of shapes including, but not limited to, trapezoidal,for example as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, or triangular. The hollowstructure 64 may allow for additional storage, including lengthy cargo.

Further, the truck 50 may include one or more storage areas 66 locatedover one or more container slots 60 which may be used for “loose” cargonot placed inside a cargo container 98. The storage areas 66 may belocated in any of a number of locations in the truck bed 52 including,but not limited to above the wheel house 68, which may be accessed fromoutside either side of the truck 50, for example as illustrated in FIGS.1 and 3.

A truck 50 may also include a retention feature 70, for example asillustrated in FIG. 5, which may be located on the ceiling of the truck50, approximately center of the width W of the truck 50, which mayassist in securing cargo containers 98 in the truck 50 used in aninclined lift system 76, 78. The retention feature 70 may be any of anumber of configurations including, but not limited to, a T-shape havinga hook feature 72 on each end which may each be constructed and arrangedto mate with a cargo container 98. In one variation, the retentionfeature 70 may extend down the center of the length L of the truck bed52 and may support cargo containers 98 on both the left hand side 56 andthe right hand side 54 of the truck 50. In another variation, each pairof right hand side 54 and left hand side 56 container slots 60 may sharean individual retention feature 70 so that there may be severalretention features attached along the length of the ceiling of the truck50.

Referring to FIGS. 6-7, in any of a number of variations, one or morecargo containers 98 may be used in the incline lift system 74. A cargocontainer 98 may be any of a number of shapes including, but not limitedto, a box type shape. A box type shaped cargo container 98 may include afront wall 100 which opposes a rear wall 102, two opposing side walls104, a base 106, and a lid 108. The lid 108 may be attached to the cargocontainer 98 for example by a hinging mechanism, or it may be a separatecomponent. The rear side 118 of the cargo container 98 may have aninclined surface 110 which may begin approximately halfway down thelength of the rear wall 102 and may extend towards the front side 120 ofthe cargo container 98. This may allow the container to lay flush withthe inclined surface 80 of the motorized belt system 76, 78. Theinclined surface 110 of the cargo container 98 may also include anattachment cavity 116 which may be constructed and arranged to mate witha hook feature 86 of the belt 82, 84. The cavity 116 may extend thewidth of the belt 82, for example as illustrated in FIG. 7. In anothervariation wherein the first belt 82 and the second belt 84 are offset, acavity may extend the width of both the offset first belt 82 and secondbelt 84. This may allow the containers to be used universally with thefirst motorized belt system 76 or the second motorized belt system 78.The base 106 may include a set of stationary wheels 124 which may beplaced adjacent the front end corners 114 of the cargo container 98. Therear side 118 of the cargo container 98 may include cutouts 126 adjacentthe rear corners 112 which may be configured to accept spring loadedrear wheels 122. The wheels 122 may be spring loaded so that they mayremain in an open position which may create a longer wheel base. Thewheels 122 may then be retracted inwards so that they are flush with theincline of the container body 110. The lid 108 of the cargo container 98may include a groove or indentation feature (not shown) which may matewith the retention feature 70 hook 72 attached to the ceiling of thetruck 50.

Referring to FIGS. 8-11, an incline lift system 74 may be used to loadcargo containers 98 onto a truck 50. In one variation, a cargo container98 may be loaded onto the truck 50 via a loading position on either theright hand side 54 or left hand side 56 of the truck 50, for example asillustrated in FIG. 9. The incline lift system 74 may allow for quickloading and unloading of cargo from the truck 50 and may also allow forcontainers to be loaded and unloaded in any order and/or simultaneously.The incline lift system 74 may also minimize the loading and unloadingarea by eliminating the need for deploying ramps or lift platforms.

The motorized lift belt hook feature 86 may be in a starting position atthe bottom of the motorized belt system 76, 78. An operator 128 may pushthe front side 120 of a cargo container 98 which may include wheels 122,124 by hand up to either side 54, 56 of the truck 50 so that it is inline with one of the container slots 60, for example as illustrated inFIG. 10. The operator 128 may then push the cargo container 98 up to themotorized belt system 76, 78 so that it touches the inclined surface 80of the motorized belt system 76, 78. The motorized belt system 76, 78may be turned on so that the belt 82, 84 begins to move upwards causingthe belt hook feature 86 to travel upwards and engage the cavity 116 onthe cargo container 98, for example as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 11.Next, as the belt 82, 84 and belt hook feature 86 move upwards, thecargo container 98 may begin to lift off of the ground. As the cargocontainer 98 is lifted upwards, the spring loaded rear wheels 122 maybegin to retract as the cargo container 98 raises up the motorized beltsystem 76, 78 for example as illustrated in FIG. 12. As the belt 82, 84continues to move upwards, the spring loaded rear wheels 122 may retractso that they are flush against the inclined surface 110 of the cargocontainer 98. This may allow the cargo container 98 to be stored usingless space and may allow for more stable transportation. Finally, as thebelt hook feature 86 reaches the top of the incline lift system 74, theindentation or groove on the lid 108 of the cargo container 98 mayengage the retention feature 70 hook 72 located on the ceiling of thetruck 50 which may additionally secure the cargo container 98 duringtransit, for example as illustrated in FIG. 13. The motorized beltsystem 76, 78 may automatically shut off from the use of at least onepositional sensor or may be manually shut off by the operator 128. Thecargo containers 98 in this position may then be secured inside thetruck 50 and ready for delivery.

Similarly, when a cargo load is ready for unloading, the motorized liftbelt 76, 78 may be turned on so that the shafts 88, 92, 94, 96 turn inthe opposite direction as used for loading which may cause the belt hookfeature 86 to lower back to the starting position. As the belt hookfeature 86 lowers back to its starting position, the spring loaded rearwheels 122 may gradually spring back to a longer wheel base which mayprovide for balanced mobility when the cargo container 98 is back on theground. Once the belt 82, 84 lowers the belt hook feature 86 back to thestarting position, the motorized belt system 76, 78 may automaticallyshut off from the use of at least one positional sensor, or it may beshut off manually by the operator.

The following description of variants is only illustrative ofcomponents, elements, acts, products and methods considered to be withinthe scope of the invention and are not in any way intended to limit suchscope by what is specifically disclosed or not expressly set forth. Thecomponents, elements, acts, products and methods as described herein maybe combined and rearranged other than as expressly described herein andstill are considered to be within the scope of the invention.

Variation 1 may include a product comprising: at least one incline liftsystem comprising: a first motorized belt system and a second motorizedbelt system; wherein the first motorized belt system and the secondmotorized belt system include a first belt and a second belt; whereinthe first belt and the second belt each include a hooking feature; andwherein the first motorized belt system and the second motorized beltsystem are each inclined toward each other.

Variation 2 may include a product as set forth in Variation 1 whereinthe hooking feature is constructed and arranged to mate with a cavity ona cargo container.

Variation 3 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-2wherein the first motorized belt system and the second motorized beltsystem each include a first shaft, a second shaft, a third shaft, and afourth shaft; and wherein the first belt and the second belt are eachlocated approximately central on a surface of the first motorized beltsystem and the second motorized belt system.

Variation 4 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-3wherein the first motorized belt system and the second motorized beltsystem share a central first shaft and wherein the first motorized beltsystem and the second motorized belt system each include a second shaft,a third shaft, and a fourth shaft; and wherein the first belt is offsetfrom the second belt.

Variation 5 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-4wherein the first motorized belt system and the second motorized beltsystem are independently controlled by a control device.

Variation 6 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-5wherein the control device is a wireless remote.

Variation 7 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-6wherein a first control device is hardwired to the first motorized beltsystem and a second control device is hardwired to the second motorizedbelt system.

Variation 8 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-7wherein the first motorized belt system and the second motorized beltsystem are each powered by an independent motor.

Variation 9 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-8wherein the independent motors are electrical motors.

Variation 10 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-9wherein the first motorized belt and the second motorized belt includeat least one positional sensor.

Variation 11 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations1-10 wherein the first motorized belt and the second motorized belt eachinclude at least one emergency stop device.

Variation 12 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations1-11 further comprising a truck; wherein the truck includes a truck bed;wherein the truck bed includes at least one set of opposing cargocontainer slots; and wherein the first motorized belt system and thesecond motorized belt system are located in the opposing cargo containerslots.

Variation 13 may include a product as set forth in Variation 12 whereinthe truck further comprises a ceiling and wherein at least one retentionfeature is attached to the ceiling.

Variation 14 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations12-13 wherein the at least one retention feature is constructed andarranged to mate with a lid of a cargo container.

Variation 15 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations12-14 wherein a hollow structure is located within the first motorizedbelt system and the second motorized belt system and wherein the hollowstructure is accessed through the rear of the truck.

Variation 16 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations12-15 wherein at least one cargo container slot is used for storage.

Variation 17 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations12-16 wherein the truck bed can be accessed from at least one of a lefthand side, a right hand side, or a rear side.

Variation 18 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations12-17 further comprising a cargo container; wherein the cargo containeris attachable to the motorized belt system; wherein the cargo containerfurther comprises a front wall, a rear wall, a pair of side walls, abase, and a lid; wherein the base includes a set of frontal wheels and aset of rear wheels; wherein the rear wheels are spring loaded; whereinthe rear wall includes an incline; wherein the incline on the rear wallincludes a cavity which is constructed and arranged to mate with ahooking feature; and wherein the lid includes an indent constructed andarranged to mate with a retention feature.

Variation 19 may include a method comprising: providing loading cargofrom an outside surface into a truck using an incline lift system;wherein a cargo container is pushed up against a motorized belt systemlocated inside of the truck; wherein the motorized belt system includesa hooking feature; wherein the hooking feature engages a cavity featureon the cargo container; wherein the motorized belt lifts the cargocontainer upwards into the truck; and wherein a retention feature on aceiling of the truck engages with a lid of the cargo container.

Variation 20 may include a method comprising: providing unloading cargooff of a truck using an incline lift system; wherein the incline liftsystem includes lowering a cargo container from the truck using amotorized belt system having a hooking feature; wherein the hookingfeature is engaged with a cavity feature on the cargo container; andwherein the motorized belt and hooking feature lowers the cargocontainer downwards onto a surface outside of the truck.

The above description of select examples of the invention is merelyillustrative in nature and, thus, variations or variants thereof are notto be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A product comprising: a vehicle, wherein thevehicle comprises at least one incline lift system; the at least oneincline lift system comprising: a first motorized belt system and asecond motorized belt system; wherein the first motorized belt systemand the second motorized belt system include a first belt and a secondbelt; wherein the first belt and the second belt each include a hookingfeature; and wherein the first motorized belt system and the secondmotorized belt system are each inclined toward each other.
 2. Theproduct of claim 1 wherein the hooking feature is constructed andarranged to mate with a cavity on a cargo container.
 3. The product ofclaim 1 wherein the first motorized belt system and the second motorizedbelt system each include a first shaft, a second shaft, a third shaft,and a fourth shaft; and wherein the first belt and the second belt areeach located approximately central on a surface of the first motorizedbelt system and the second motorized belt system.
 4. The product ofclaim 1 wherein the first motorized belt system and the second motorizedbelt system share a central first shaft and wherein the first motorizedbelt system and the second motorized belt system each include a secondshaft, a third shaft, and a fourth shaft; and wherein the first belt isoffset from the second belt.
 5. The product of claim 1 wherein the firstmotorized belt system and the second motorized belt system areindependently controlled by a control device.
 6. The product of claim 5wherein the control device is a wireless remote.
 7. The product of claim1 wherein a first control device is hardwired to the first motorizedbelt system and a second control device is hardwired to the secondmotorized belt system.
 8. The product of claim 1 wherein the firstmotorized belt system and the second motorized belt system are eachpowered by an independent motor.
 9. The product of claim 8 wherein theindependent motors are electrical motors.
 10. The product of claim 1wherein the first motorized belt and the second motorized belt includeat least one positional sensor.
 11. The product of claim 1 wherein thefirst motorized belt and the second motorized belt each include at leastone emergency stop device.
 12. The product of claim 1 further comprisinga truck; wherein the truck includes a truck bed; wherein the truck bedincludes at least one set of opposing cargo container slots; and whereinthe first motorized belt system and the second motorized belt system arelocated in the opposing cargo container slots.
 13. The product of claim12 wherein the truck further comprises a ceiling and wherein at leastone retention feature is attached to the ceiling.
 14. The product ofclaim 13 wherein the at least one retention feature is constructed andarranged to mate with a lid of a cargo container.
 15. The product ofclaim 12 wherein a hollow structure is located within the firstmotorized belt system and the second motorized belt system and whereinthe hollow structure is accessed through the rear of the truck.
 16. Theproduct of claim 12 wherein at least one cargo container slot is usedfor storage.
 17. The product of claim 12 wherein the truck bed can beaccessed from at least one of a left hand side, a right hand side, or arear side.
 18. The product of claim 12 further comprising a cargocontainer; wherein the cargo container is attachable to the motorizedbelt system; wherein the cargo container further comprises a front wall,a rear wall, a pair of side walls, a base, and a lid; wherein the baseincludes a set of frontal wheels and a set of rear wheels; wherein therear wheels are spring loaded; wherein the rear wall includes anincline; wherein the incline on the rear wall includes a cavity which isconstructed and arranged to mate with a hooking feature; and wherein thelid includes an indent constructed and arranged to mate with a retentionfeature.